MEMBER PROFILE

Jacqueline Reeves

My journey began by inquiring about how to purchase a home with my Section 8 counselor at Tompkins Community Action. From there, I was connected with the Family Self Sufficiency program, which made this experience wonderful and easier to understand.

The Homebuyer's Class at Ithaca Neighborhood Housing was an eye opener to all the possibilities and obstacles that I had to complete in order to achieve my goal. All this snowballed into me connecting with Alternatives. Brendan Wilbur and the staff there were helpful in setting up an IDA, a program where I can pay the bills needed to maintain a household and still be able to save. These are both things that I love to do.

The IDA program provides people with information on the steps to homeownership. It's been a great experience for me, and I hope that young people are inspired to follow up on their dreams - if not for themselves - then for the generation that we have the responsibility to raise.

Alternatives Federal Credit Union is helping our members reach out to others in the community who are in need.  The kindness of others always strengthens a community, but especially in these difficult economic times, the smallest of kindnesses can go a long way.

Here’s how it works:

1.) Alternatives provides you $10 - come into Alternatives during lobby hours and a teller will give you the money.  You decide how to give the $10 back to the community.  It can help out a local person or family you know in need, or it can go to a local non-profit organization that may be facing its own challenges.  You decide how to give the $10 back to the community, plus earn a chance to win an additional $500 donation from Alternatives. Think about why this recipient is unique, and/or why the recipient is deserving of the $10.  What’s the story?

2.) Tell Alternatives this story.  Show us how the $10 will benefit the recipient.  You can either videotape the story yourself and send it in, or come into Alternatives and we’ll tape you telling the story.  You can also take pictures, write an essay, or a combination of all these things.  Have fun with it!  You can also collaborate with other members and pool your $10 towards one recipient.

If you’re creating your own video, please upload to YouTube and send us the link.  For pictures & essays, e-mail us or mail in your materials attn: Pay It Forward, Alternatives Federal Credit Union, 125 N. Fulton St.  Ithaca, NY  14850.

If you don’t have access to a video camera, please come into Alternatives and we’ll videotape your story!   E-mail Alternatives to set up a time to be videotaped.

DEADLINE FOR THE CONTEST SUBMISSION IS JULY 3, 2009!

3.) Alternatives’ staff will decide on 10 semi-finalists, and will upload these finalists’ stories to our website.  From there, all members will vote on what they think is the best Pay It Forward story.  If you win, the person(s) or organization you originally donated to receives an additional donation of $500!

* This contest is not open to Alternatives staff or its immediate family members.  Limited to two contestants per household.